Microsporogenesis and anther development in Bromeliaceae

Abstract

Bromeliaceae possess several features of pollen and anther wall development that are plesiomorphic for Poales, consistent with their putatively basal or near-basal placement in this order. For example, successive microsporogenesis and the monocotyledonous type of anther wall formation are both plesiomorphic features that occur commonly in other Poales, with a few notable exceptions, notably the simultaneous type of microsporogenesis in Rapateaceae. The intermediate type of tapetum development in Bromeliaceae was probably derived secondarily from a secretory type, which occurs in most other Poales except Typhaceae.